Observations of wave dispersion and attenuation in landfast ice. Issue 3 (26th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sutherland, Graig; Rabault, Jean
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 121:Issue 3(2016:Mar.)
• Page Start: 1984
• Page End: 1997
• Publication Date: 2016-03-26
• Subjects: waves in ice -- observations -- wave dispersion -- wave attenuation; Oceanography -- Periodicals; 551.4605
• DOI: 10.1002/2015JC011446
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9275

Abstract

Abstract: Observations of wave propagation in landfast ice were obtained in Tempelfjorden, Svalbard during March 2015. Wave motion was measured near the ice edge using inertial motion units and consisted of a combination of swell from the North Atlantic and wind‐generated waves. The waves were observed to be unidirectional in the ice with comparable magnitudes in the vertical and horizontal displacements. The dispersion relation was calculated from the measured phase difference between two adjacent sensors separated by a distance of approximately 60 m. Deviations from the gravity wave dispersion relation were observed during the growth phase of the waves and were consistent with the presence of flexural waves. This period of wave growth was accompanied by significant wave attenuation in the high frequency portion of the wave spectrum which persisted for 3–5 h. Key Points: Observations of the dispersion relation in landfast ice using inertial motion units Observed a transition from flexural‐gravity waves to open water dispersion relation Transition period associated with up to 40% of the wave energy attenuated over one wavelength for frequencies greater than 0.15 Hz